Miles College hosted the 2025 Capstone Event for the Amazon Accelerate and Empower Program

 Miles College proudly hosted the 2025 Capstone Event for the Amazon Accelerate and Empower Program, an initiative developed in partnership with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Arctaris Impact Investors. The program, built on the core curriculum of the ICCC mini MBA experience, is designed to accelerate the growth of diverse owned and small businesses in under-resourced communities across the Delta Region. 

The Capstone brought business owners, industry leaders, and procurement partners to the Birmingham campus for a culminating day of sales pitch presentations, coaching, and strategic networking. As the host site for this final milestone in the cohort’s three month learning experience, Miles College created an environment where entrepreneurs connected directly with Amazon’s Global Procurement team, statewide partners, and allied companies. This engagement reflects the program’s mission to expand economic mobility and create access to new markets for small business owners. 

Designed for growth minded and diverse owned firms based in Alabama and Tennessee, the Amazon Accelerate and Empower Program equips participants with targeted business education, one on one coaching, and sector specific training aligned with supply chain needs in areas such as infrastructure services, construction, food service, janitorial supplies, maintenance and operations, packaging, and personal protective equipment. Throughout the cohort, participants engaged in immersive learning sessions, assessments, and strategy development to strengthen their competitive readiness. 

Miles College’s role as host reinforces its expanding leadership in regional economic development and its commitment to strengthening pathways between higher education and industry. Under the leadership of President Bobbie Knight, the College has prioritized innovation, workforce development, and community impact, making the campus an ideal setting for a program centered on empowering entrepreneurs and advancing long term economic opportunity. 

The Capstone Event concluded the 2025 Delta Region cohort, which began its journey in Memphis earlier this year. Participants entered the program as established small businesses with at least three years of operational history and a demonstrated commitment to growth. By the end of the Capstone, each business left with strengthened strategies, expanded networks, and increased visibility among major buyers. 

Miles College is honored to support initiatives that advance equitable economic development across the region and will continue to champion efforts that uplift diverse entrepreneurs and strengthen the communities we serve.